Sea pool idea floats other councils’ boats

‘As soon as we get a couple of prototype pools in the metropolitan area the better, because in an ideal situation we would have 50 up and down the WA coast,’ Fremantle proponent and architect Sam Martin said.

A University of WA design for Cottesloe comprises a 75m-long, eight-lane, sandy bottom pool created by a rock barrier on the north side of Cottesloe groyne.

Mr Martin wants a sea pool near Bathers beach, for which Fremantle Council has $20,000 for a feasibility study in its 2013-14 budget.

However, the proposal needs full support from the Fremantle Port Authority (FPA).

‘And they’d rather wait until after planning for the (Victoria Quay) commercial precinct is done, probably in about a year,’ Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit said.

Responding to concerns the Fremantle pool could stall without the backing, an FPA spokeswoman said the facility was not part of any current plans.

Ocean Pools for Perth convenor Leisha Jack said the Cottesloe concept showed the City of Stirling could have sea pools complementing a pool at a proposed $45 million Hamersley Golf Course.

Stirling Mayor Giovanni Italiano said beach pool ideas could be sent to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority’s online survey about upgrading the strip, after the revamp was launched on December 5, and a decision on the centre was deferred until after council merger announcements due mid-2014.

However, Quinns beach sea pool proponent Lewis Flood said he faced indifference from the City of Wanneroo for his $2.5 million idea for a three-sided concrete barrier across the beach south of the Quinns Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.